In a move to prescribe the noise level standards for horns, sirens and other multi tones horns fitted in ambulances and other emergency vehicles, the Maharashtra Environment Department (“Department”) has issued a corrigendum on 17th May, 2017.

The corrigendum has been issued in lines with the National Ambulance Code (AIS- 125) (“Code”) which sets the noise levels of sirens fitted with ambulance and other emergency vehicles to be in the range of 110 dB (A) to 120 dB (A).

However, the Department has reiterated that apart from the ambulances and other emergency vehicles, the noise level of horns should not exceed 10dB(A) louder than the levels of the vehicle engine sound for each category of the vehicles specified under Schedule VI (Part E) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

“The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB(A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB(A) whichever is lower.”

Further to the Rules, the Department had issued a notification in 2014 where it prescribed the standards for horns, sirens and/or multi toned horns for the vehicles plying in Maharashtra. However, the standards for siren noise level on ambulance and other emergency vehicles were neither clarified in the 2014 notification nor expressly provided in the Rules.

Hence, by way of this recent corrigendum, the noise levels of sirens fitted with ambulance and other emergency vehicles is set.